Doolin Pier Wave

État des lieux

A petition was quickly launched to protest against this project. In 2010, a first victory was secured by the surfers. Following several debates and public meetings, the project was cancelled and a revised version was brought before Clare County Council, which suggested moving the construction area by 25m and reducing the length of the pier by 15m to lessen the impact on the waves, thus ensuring that both parties’ interests were met. Yet unfortunately, in May 2011, the local authorities voted unanimously on the resumption of the initial project. This seemed to have brought an end to the fight for Surfrider, the Keeper and the local surfers. However, there was still a possibility of convincing the higher State authorities, as the local council had to obtain authorisation by the Ministry for the Environment and receive a coastal development licence before they could go ahead with the works. The Ministry stated that the Council had to apply for a new construction permit for the pier as well as carry out an environmental impact study in order to respond to the surfers’ fears with regards to the impacts on their wave. In January 2012, County Clare commissioned a group of consultants to elaborate a new application for planning permission and to carry out the environmental impact study. The spokesperson for the West Coast Surf Club pointed out that their organisation is not opposed to the project as such, but that they wished for the surfer community to be taken into account.

In March 2013, the project has definitely been approved and the quay should be completed by early 2015.